We Love to Sew Bedrooms: Cool Stuff for Your Space

By Annabel Wrigley

Have your kids crafting up a storm to personalize their bedrooms with these 23 easy-to-sew and no-sew projects.

Whip the child in your life into a bedroom decorating frenzy with We Love to Sew—Bedrooms by Annabel Wrigley of Little Pincushion Studio. With 23 easy-to-sew and no-sew projects that range from simple to moderately difficult, this inspiring book encourages kids to mix and match a variety of styles, from modern to boho to whimsical. Also included are detailed instructions on creating mood boards to capture their very own unique vision, as well as basic information about sewing, supplies, and sewing machine basics that will lay the foundation for a lifelong love of all things handmade

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Mar 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781607058250

Book preview

A Message from Denyse Schmidt

I was very fortunate to grow up in a family where making useful and beautiful things was second nature. There wasn’t anything my parents wouldn’t—or couldn’t—try. With a trusty old heavy-duty sewing machine, my parents taught themselves to reupholster by practicing on a sleeper sofa that was way older than I was. And that old, broken-down sofa just got better and better looking with every incarnation. My mom sewed clothes and crafted hats for herself and four kids, and our holiday family portraits hold wonderful memories of her love and creativity. My dad made furniture and loved to devise clever, homemade (yet stylish) solutions to problems, like the white-washed wooden dowel to replace the broken handle on my Mary Poppins lunch box, or the book-and-ring holder he installed over the kitchen sink so that my mom could study for her two master’s degrees while washing dishes. (The fact that my mom accomplished all that while raising a family makes me a little dizzy, very grateful, and in awe of the multitasking abilities of moms everywhere!)

What I learned early on was the importance of self-reliance and creativity. That is a powerful, double-barreled lesson to learn as a child, one that has served me well and carried me through this roller coaster of life. Especially when unsure and faced with new challenges, I discovered that when I trusted my instincts and focused on the task at hand, I could usually figure it out. Don’t get me wrong—I made mistakes—but I kept going. Most of us spend so much time trying to avoid mistakes that we never learn that making them is part of the process and essential to discovery.

You’re about to make some discoveries yourself, with the help of Annabel! Your room (or your side of the room, if you share) is yours. It’s where you go when you want to be alone, or when you need a breather or just some time to think things through. This book will help you think about how you want this space to look. It’s a book of ideas—but these are just a starting point for your own individual style. Try them out, change them, and maybe come up with your own! You’re going to have so much fun discovering who you are, what you like, and what makes you happy. You will be creating your own unique world: one that calms you down, fires you up, makes you laugh, makes you feel free—you decide; it’s your room! The great thing about life is that the joy of creating and self-expression belongs to everyone.

I think you are very fortunate, too!

—Denyse

Welcome!

Hello there,

I am so glad you picked up this book! I promise it is jam-packed with awesome ideas to take your room from ho-hum to jump-up-and-down-throwing-glitter awesome. The best part is that all the awesomeness will be made by you!

(Happy dance!)

You have probably been thinking that your room needs a bit of an update, an injection of your own personal style. Hey, you are growing up! Who wants a room that cannot keep up with you and your awesome crafty style?

Hopefully you have been practicing your sewing skills. Maybe you have already tried the patterns from my first book and are feeling confident with what you can achieve with your machine.

Well, guess what—you are ready to start tackling some bigger projects. Drapes will no longer be daunting, and patchwork … not so petrifying!

I promise you can do it!

Sending crafty vibes your way,

—Annabel xo

How to Use This Book

In this book, some of the projects are pretty easy, and some are a bit more challenging. You’ll notice that each project has a symbol at the top. Here’s what each symbol means.

EASY PEASY

Start with these projects, especially if you are not super comfy yet with using your sewing machine. These are fun projects that need a little or no hand sewing. You’ll have no trouble finishing these.

A TEENY BIT MORE CHALLENGING

You’ll need a little confidence for these projects. You should be comfortable using the sewing machine and with hand sewing. You are going to have so much fun with these!

TAKE YOUR TIME AND ASK FOR HELP

These projects need some patience and a great attitude. If you really know your way around your sewing machine, go for it! I know you can do it. You may want to ask for help from an adult or other experienced sewist. We all need a little help sometimes!

tip

Practicing your skills on the easier projects in the book will help you gain confidence to tackle the more challenging ones!

A Note to Parents

I used to think that my little girl would remain my little girl well into her teens and that her floral, pink, frilly bedroom would remain her girly haven for years to come. My daughter has certainly proved me wrong.

Slowly and steadily, soft toys have made their way into clear storage bins in the basement; in their place are throw pillows that she has painted or quilted. The childlike artwork has been replaced with artfully arranged creations made with masking tape and spray paint. The pretty pink rug is gone; now bold black-and-white stripes are the look. A little part of my heart aches as my little girl grows into a gorgeously creative young woman. So, for these reasons, I really feel it is my job to encourage her to be the most creative person she can be.

I strongly believe that tweens (between child and teen) are emerging as a design-conscious group. The fact that my 12-year-old has a dream room board on Pinterest is kind of crazy, but also pretty cool.

Between the ages of 8 and 13, girls really start to develop their own sense of personal style. They want their havens to be more grown up … childish artwork to be replaced with artwork and decor that is a little more mature and that suits their emerging personalities and personal style. They are not adults yet, so they still love cute, but they certainly are not embracing the ruffles as they were in second grade.

I want girls to be able to pick up this book and feel excited to tackle simple and easy projects that will help them in their quest to find their own individuality.

The great thing about this book is that not only are all the projects fun, but they are also really doable for even the most inexperienced sewist.

There is no prouder moment for a parent than seeing the joy in their child who has just accomplished something on her own. These sewing projects are one way kids can challenge themselves to try something new and be successful.

sewing rule book

You are probably thinking to yourself: Rules? What rules could there possibly be in sewing? Sewing is meant to be fun! Yes, sewing is fun, but a few rules will help make it a great sewing experience.

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It’s All about You!

It might be hard to believe that "It’s